UK Working With European Police To Tackle Boat Gangs

The UK government has announced its strong determination to target gangs involved in illegal people smuggling across the English Channel. Working closely with European police, they aim to prevent the dangerous crossings that risk so many lives.

Key Efforts to Stop Boat Gangs

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the importance of stopping these criminal operations. “These gangs should not be allowed to continue their activities,” she said, following a high-level meeting with ministers, police, and intelligence agencies.

This meeting took place just days after 12 people, including six children and a pregnant woman, tragically died trying to cross the Channel. It was the worst loss of life this year in these dangerous waters.

Rising Danger of Illegal Crossings

More than 21,000 people have attempted the dangerous journey across the Channel this year. Although the number of crossings has slightly increased compared to last year, it’s still 20% lower than in 2022. However, the numbers remain alarming, with lives constantly at risk.

Ms. Cooper pointed out that while fewer crossings happened during the summer months, the threat posed by these gangs remains significant. The gangs, operating along the northern French coast, continue to exploit vulnerable people.

Scrapping the Rwanda Plan

The Labour government has canceled the previous administration’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, an approach aimed at reducing the number of crossings. Now, Labour faces pressure to show its new strategy is working. The government’s main focus has shifted towards dismantling the people-smuggling networks responsible for these dangerous journeys.

New Border Security Command

As part of its commitment, the government has promised to establish a UK Border Security Command. This new agency will lead the effort to stop small boat crossings and prosecute criminal gangs. A commander’s appointment is expected soon.

Ms. Cooper also announced that the government has significantly increased the number of asylum seekers being returned to their home countries as part of efforts to reduce the backlog of asylum cases and the reliance on costly hotels.

Cooperation with International Partners

Key figures attended the meeting, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and the head of the National Crime Agency (NCA), Graeme Biggar. During the discussion, it was revealed that recent cooperation with Bulgarian authorities had resulted in the seizure of over 40 small boats and engines that could have transported 2,400 people across the Channel.

Since last spring, the NCA has confiscated over 410 small boats and engines used in illegal crossings. They are also involved in 70 ongoing investigations targeting criminal networks involved in smuggling.

Expanding International Cooperation

The UK government has also boosted its cooperation with European countries. This includes sending NCA officers to Europol and other regions like Romania and South East Asia, where gangs often recruit and exploit migrants.

The tragic deaths in the Channel have highlighted the extreme measures these smugglers are willing to take, cramming more people into unsafe vessels and charging higher fees, even for children.

Calls for Safer Routes

Some charities and organizations, such as Care4Calais, believe the best way to stop these dangerous crossings is to provide safer routes for people seeking asylum in the UK. Steve Smith, head of Care4Calais, stressed that creating legal routes would help prevent people from relying on smugglers.

The UN’s migration agency also supported this view, stating that international cooperation and the provision of safer, legal alternatives are vital to reducing the demand for smugglers.

Debate on the Rwanda Scheme

While the government has abandoned the Rwanda plan, some officials, including former UK border force head Tony Smith, believe it should be reconsidered. Smith argues that migrants in safe countries like France should be discouraged from attempting the crossing, knowing they may be relocated elsewhere if they do.

The government remains focused on preventing illegal crossings while addressing the underlying issues driving people to make these dangerous journeys. Cooperation with international partners and more robust enforcement measures will play a vital role in stopping the gangs responsible for this crisis.

The UK government is determined to work with European police and other partners to stop the criminal networks behind the dangerous boat crossings. As efforts continue, the focus remains on protecting lives, securing borders, and dismantling the smuggling operations that fuel this ongoing humanitarian issue.

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